Support for ban on smoking at home

Jun 21 2007 by Jessica Shaughnessy, Liverpool Daily Post

CONTROVERSIAL plans to stop people in Liverpool smoking in their own homes won comments of all-round support from councillors last night.

Residents could be told not to smoke for at least half an hour prior to prearranged visits to their homes by council employees.

They will also be asked to open windows if they have been smoking and will be told not to smoke during visits.

Last night, members of the resources and corporate services select committee gave their support to the scheme before it goes up for approval at the council’s executive board on Friday.

But they warned that if passed, the plans would have to be implemented “carefully”.

Executive member Cllr Peter Millea (Lib Dem) said: “We have to think about the rights of the employees. Personally, if I go into someone’s home and they light up a cigarette, I leave the room until they have finished.

“I don’t want to breathe in anybody else’s second hand smoke and I don’t see why our staff should have to either.

“Their health should not be put at risk. If people can’t stop smoking for half an hour, the it is tough.”

The committee was told that the plans were not compulsory and residents would only be “requested” to comply.

Cllr Malcolm Kennedy (Labour, Kirkdale) said: “It is only common courtesy not to smoke when you are visited by council staff, which is fine in principle. That is only polite good manners.

“My concern is whether staff will take the request too literally and walk out, leaving vulnerable people, if they smell smoke.”

Cllr Joe Hanson (Labour, Kirkdale) said the issue needs to be handled “sensitively” and warned the council should not become the “smoking police”.

Council officers were asked for information about the cost of installing extractor equipment in housing association properties, which will be presented to the executive board.

The plans were first revealed in the Daily Post earlier this week, when chairman of the health select committee Cllr Ron Gould said it will only be a matter of time before the voluntary ban becomes enforceable.

He said: “I believe that the smoking law will eventually be extended to cover situations where public servants visit people’s homes as part of their official duties.”

If passed, they will be implemented from July 1 when the ban from smoking at all public workplaces begins.

The new smoking measures will not apply to people living in council-run residential accommodation. Residents there will be permitted to smoke in designated areas.

jessicashaughnessy